Header installation

[bored030over]

I am about to put on a pair of Headman ceramic coated headers on my 83 H/O. Will I have to jack the motor up a few inches to get the headers seated in place? Are there any clearance issues? I am still currently running my stock original 307. I also will be putting in the new G force trans crossmember with the dual cut outs.

Thanks guys,

Tony
83 H/O

 

[78 salon]

Yes, you will have to raise the engine. 1st, remove fan shroud or fan itself. If it was me, I'd pull the distributer. From inderneath, pull the starter and oil filter mounting housing. Remove ex. manifolds, crossover, etc.Place jack under oilpan using a solid piece of wood. Put pressure on pan, pullmotor mount bolts. Raise engine more until you can get headers in place. Massage headers for clearence. Be ready to replace dipstick tube, since it will prabably break at som,e point. .Might have missed somethings

 

[pontiacgp]

with a sbc I only had to raise the passenger side of the engine just a little to get headman elite headers installed

 

[78 salon]

Big difference between sbo anb sbc header installation.

 

[pontiacgp]

big difference between brand of headers

 

[DoubleV]

I've never heard raising the engine was NEEDED for SBO header install on a G-body. I really think it depends on the headers and quality control when made. If Wang Li made a good set that day they may fit in just fine, but if his coworker Chang Ho makes a bad set and you get those, then you may have to take drastic measures to install them.

Of course the headers by American Racing always fit perfect! 😀

 

[foxtrot]

I agree that American Racing Headers are top notch but in my mind the lower end headers COULD also be more consistent. Lets say that Mr Li & Mr Ho used the same process and templates to build the Walmart brand of headers. Said headers although low-end should at least be consistent. With that said I that this isn't the case and it boggles my mind that there are huge quality issues with the low-end products.

 

[78 salon]

Headers are usually made in jigs. If they don't fit right, either the jig is wrong, or your motor mounts are worn.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Haven't put long tube in G bodies but pretty sure the oil filter adapter needs to be removed.

 

[DoubleV]

Headers are usually made in jigs. If they don't fit right, either the jig is wrong, or your motor mounts are worn.

Information gotten from a quality header fabricator was after working for a time making high quality headers, he switched jobs and starting working for one of the lesser quality, mass production header manufactures. He said when they're churning out these headers, the 'precision' is anything but. Their montra was basically if it was close enough, it was good enough. Sometimes things were off by alot, but the higher-ups didn't care. This wasn't the way he liked to build headers so he quit and I think started his own buisiness. This is information I recieved from someone who has actually seen how things were done from both sides. If this info is BS, then don't blame me!

Yes, I had to remove my oil filter adaptor to install my ARH, and after doing so the right side header slipped right in through the bottom.